Fire drains town's water

GROVER — Firefighters drained a town’s water reserve this week as crews worked to contain a blaze that burned for hours at an old mill building.

Grover’s water tank holds 100,000 gallons of water. That reserve drained in less than two hours Thursday as firefighters drenched the Old Minette Mill building on Main Street, according to a press release from town leaders.

Town residents reported experiencing low water pressure late Thursday and into Friday, according to the city. Grover Maintenance Department workers, along with Grover Police officers, restored water flow to residents by early Friday morning.

“Our maintenance workers were here late into the night working on the water issue and to get normal operating service back to everyone,” Mayor J.D. Ledford said. “We’re thankful for that, and our local firefighters here in town.”

Eight fire departments from Cleveland County and upstate South Carolina assisted at the scene of the fire, which started about 5 p.m.

Mill memories

Some of The Star's Facebook fans shared memories of the abandoned mill Friday.

The mill is where John Harry, 67, secured a job.

The Grover native worked at the mill for 12 years.

Harry lives on Lakeview Drive, a short distance from the mill. The business once housed looms and bed spreads.

The bricks forming the mill’s walls were caved in Friday as cleanup continued, according to Bobby Horton, a fire inspector with the Cleveland County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Harry worked in the mill’s maintenance department as a Kings Mountain High School and Clemson University student.

He said a former bank made its home inside a portion of the mill. It overlooked the railroad tracks heading into South Carolina.

“Many years ago, that facility was a staple in the community,” Harry said. “When I saw the smoke, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my time there.”

Firefighters still on standby

Early investigations show a malfunctioned propane tank caused the blaze, Horton said. The propane ignited dust particles inside the mill.

“They went outside to get fresh air. They came back in and the building was on fire,” Horton said.

Volunteers with the Cleveland County Chapter of the American Red Cross fed exhausted firefighters hamburgers and provided bottles of water through the night.

Some assisting fire crews started to leave the scene about 10 p.m.

Grover firefighters were still at the scene Friday as cleanup of burned hay continued.

“The hay was still smoldering. It could for about a week,” Horton said.